a blog about life on Skopelos

Archive for January 23rd, 2015

Volos newspaper Taxydromos reports that a “World Congress” on the plum will happen in Skopelos 19-23 August with the participation of many distinguished scientists. According to the newspaper, already representatives from 80 universities have signed on to send delegates to the conference. Some expect that 500 people could participate in the affair, which is being organized by the Municipality of Skopelos, the University of Warsaw, and the TEI (Technical Education Institute Τεχνολογικά Εκπαιδευτικά Ιδρύματα) Volos.

Local hope is that together with a boost in tourism, the meeting will be a step towards the making the plum(s) a “protected product of designated origin”. Skopelitan farmer Thanasis Gripiotis and others believe that the designation will help give locally produced plums an enhanced position in European and world marketplaces.

The island palliative care charity Faros, which has a wide brief to help anyone living with long-term disabilities, invites its members, supporters and friends to a belated – and if you remember the weather on New Year’s Day, you’ll know why it’s belated – party to celebrate the cutting of the vasilopita or New Year cake at Bardon on Sunday February 1 at 6.30pm. Entrance is free, and all are welcome. That slice of cake could contain the coin that brings you luck for the next year, but maybe explore the slice before you eat it.